Shehnai, Indian Musical Instrument

November 20, 2015

The Shehnai, or Mangal Vadya, is an aerophonic (wind) instrument, a double reed conical oboe, common in North India and West India, made out of wood, with a metal flare bell at the end. Its sound is thought to create and maintain a sense of auspiciousness and sanctity and, as a result, is widely used during marriages, processions, and in temples of West India. This tube-like instrument gradually broadens towards the lower end. It usually has between six and nine holes. It employs two sets of double reeds, making it a quadruple reed woodwind. By controlling the breath, various tunes can be played on it. The origin of North Indian shehnai is believed to be from persian Zurna. The shehnai is thought to have been created by improving upon the pungi (a woodwind folk instrument used primarily for snake charming).

Ustad (Master) Bismillah Khan was a well-known shehnai player. Another player of the shehnai is the Ahmadi Black American jazz musician, Yusef Lateef. Dave Mason played shehnai on the Rolling Stones’ 1968 hit song “Street Fighting Man”.

NB: This is a folk music instrument and is handcrafted by the artisans of village India. The folk music instruments are usually meant for sale in the rural local markets. The artisans use very simple and age old tools to make folk music instruments. Almost all folk music instruments therefore lack the finesse that we often see in classical instruments.

Shehnai is considered to be the most auspicious instrument in India and that’s why in temples or in weddings this is used as the main musical instrument. It is equivalent to clairnet and has double reed and 8 holes. Made of wood and brass, this instrument produces extremely melodious music.

Guitars

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Accessories

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